Houston Divorce Lawyer

Houston, Texas skyline - CoilLaw serves divorce and family law clients across Greater Houston

By Samantha E. Frazier, Family Law Attorney, State Bar of Texas

Quick answer: Greater Houston spans five counties, so where you file for divorce depends on where you live: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, or Galveston. In every one, a spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in the county for at least 90 days before filing, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce is final, and marital property is divided in a way the court finds just and right. CoilLaw’s family law attorneys represent families across the entire Houston metro from our office near the Galleria.

Finding the right Houston divorce lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make during a painful and uncertain time, and you deserve counsel who understands both Texas family law and the courts that serve the Houston area. CoilLaw represents clients across Greater Houston in divorce, child custody, and the full range of family law matters, from straightforward uncontested filings to complex, high-asset cases involving businesses and significant property. Our attorneys practice under the Texas Family Code, and through our practice areas we guide Houston families through every stage of the process. This page explains how family law works across the Houston metro and how we can help.

Family Law Services in Houston

Divorce is rarely just one issue. It touches your finances, your home, your children, and your future, and our practice is built to handle all of it:

Contested and uncontested divorce. Whether you and your spouse agree on everything or nothing, we protect your interests and keep the process moving.
Child custody and conservatorship. As your Houston child custody lawyer, we help you secure fair conservatorship rights and a possession schedule that serves your children.
Child support. We calculate support accurately under Texas guidelines, and later modify it when circumstances change.
Property and asset division. Texas community property rules grow complicated quickly, especially with homes, retirement accounts, and business interests. We make division fair and thorough.
High-net-worth and complex-asset divorce. We handle business valuations, executive compensation, real estate, and commingled assets with the care these cases demand.
Spousal maintenance. Texas limits spousal support, so eligibility, amount, and duration all matter, and we make sure they are addressed correctly.
Modifications and enforcement. When an existing order no longer fits your life, or the other party will not follow it, we help you modify or enforce it.
Mediation and collaborative divorce. When privacy, cost control, and preserving a working co-parenting relationship matter, we pursue resolutions that stay out of the courtroom.

To talk through your situation with a Houston family law attorney, call 281-591-4725 for a consultation.

Divorce in the Houston Area: What to Expect

Houston is unusual because the metro stretches across five counties, and your case is handled in the county where you live, not simply in “Houston.” Understanding the process removes much of the anxiety around it.

Where you file depends on your county

Each county has its own district clerk and family courts:

Harris County, the core of the metro, files at the Family Law Center in downtown Houston.
Fort Bend County files in Richmond, the county seat.
Montgomery County files in Conroe.
Brazoria County files in Angleton.
Galveston County files in Galveston, with facilities in Texas City.

Some Houston-area cities even straddle two counties, so we confirm your exact county before filing to make sure your case starts in the correct court.

Who can file

You meet the residency requirement if one spouse has lived in Texas for at least six months and in the filing county for at least 90 days before the case begins.

How long it takes

Texas requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized. Uncontested cases often resolve in about 60 to 90 days, while contested cases can take several months to more than a year, depending on the disputes involved.

Grounds and property

Most Texas divorces are filed on the no-fault ground of insupportability, though the state also recognizes fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, and abandonment, which can influence property division. Texas is a community property state, so property acquired during the marriage is generally divided in a manner the court finds just and right, which does not always mean a 50/50 split.

Child Custody in Houston

For parents, custody is often the heart of the case. Texas does not use the words “custody” and “visitation.” Instead, parenting is decided through a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship using conservatorship (each parent’s rights and duties) and possession and access (the schedule of time with the children). Courts decide these issues based on the best interest of the child, and parents are frequently named joint managing conservators. As your Houston child custody lawyer, we work to protect your relationship with your children and to build a parenting plan that reflects their needs and your family’s reality.

Areas We Serve Across Greater Houston

We represent families throughout the Houston metro. Explore the county and community nearest you:

For complex, high-value cases, see our Houston high-net-worth divorce practice.

Why Houston Families Choose CoilLaw

CoilLaw is a family-focused firm with licensed, active Texas attorneys, and our team practices family law every day. From our Houston office in the Galleria and Uptown area, we represent families across all five counties of the metro with straight answers, responsive communication, and advocacy built around your goals and your children’s wellbeing.

CoilLaw Houston office at 5718 Westheimer Road, Suite 1000, near the Galleria

We are honest about outcomes. Family law offers no guarantees, and any attorney who promises a specific result should give you pause. What we commit to is thorough preparation, clear and prompt communication, and genuine care for the families we serve. When a case can be resolved through negotiation or mediation, we pursue that; when it must be tried, we are ready.

Learn more about attorney Samantha E. Frazier, who leads our Houston representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file for divorce if I live in the Houston area?

You file in the county where you live, Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, or Galveston, not simply “in Houston.” Each county has its own district clerk and family courts. You must meet the state and county residency requirements before filing, and we confirm your correct county before your case begins.

How long does a divorce take in Texas?

Texas requires a minimum 60-day waiting period from filing before a divorce is final. An uncontested divorce often finishes in about 60 to 90 days, while a contested divorce can take several months to more than a year, depending on the complexity of the property and custody issues.

How much does a divorce cost in Houston?

Cost depends on whether the divorce is contested and how complex the assets and custody issues are. An uncontested, agreed divorce costs far less than a case that goes to trial. During your consultation, we explain our fees clearly and what drives them so there are no surprises.

Is Texas a community property state?

Yes. Texas treats most property acquired during the marriage as community property, divided in a way the court finds just and right. Separate property, owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance, generally stays with its owner when it is properly documented.

How is child custody decided in Texas?

Texas decides parenting through conservatorship and possession and access, based on the best interest of the child. Parents are often named joint managing conservators, with a possession schedule setting each parent’s time with the children. Custody is not automatically awarded to either parent based on gender.

How is child support calculated?

Texas uses guideline percentages of the paying parent’s net resources, roughly 20 percent for one child and increasing with additional children, subject to adjustment based on the child’s needs and other factors.

Can I get a divorce if my spouse does not agree?

Yes. Texas allows no-fault divorce, so one spouse can obtain a divorce even if the other does not want one. If your spouse refuses to participate, the court can still proceed and, in some cases, enter a default judgment after proper notice.

What happens to our house?

The family home is often community property. Options include selling and dividing the proceeds, one spouse buying out the other, or one spouse keeping the home in exchange for other assets, depending on your finances and your children’s needs.

Do you handle high-asset and complex divorces?

Yes. We regularly handle divorces involving business interests, professional practices, executive compensation, multiple properties, and retirement accounts, working with valuation experts when a case calls for it.

Can we avoid going to court?

Often, yes. Most Texas divorces settle through negotiation or mediation, which keeps matters private and usually costs far less than a trial. We pursue resolution wherever it serves you, while staying fully prepared to litigate when necessary.

Talk to a Houston Divorce Lawyer Today

You do not have to navigate this alone. CoilLaw’s family law attorneys are ready to listen, explain your options in plain language, and stand with you through every stage of your case.

Call 281-591-4725 or request a consultation online. CoilLaw, 5718 Westheimer Road, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77057.

This page is for general information and is not legal advice. Every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, speak with a licensed Texas attorney.